California Nations Hold Indian Gaming Conference

 SACRAMENTO  -- The California Nations Indian Gaming Association has announced the 16th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference (WIGC) February 15th & 16th at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.

The WIGC will feature a daylong conference on Wednesday, February 16th, that will include a variety of seminars including topics ranging from state and federal legislative and policy issues, casino design and architecture, data management, regulation, tribal-state gaming compact negotiations, public and community relations, the importance of economic impact data, affordable tribal housing, leveraging social networks, and a tribal buying consortium.   The conference will be preceded by the WIGC signature golf tournament which will be held at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.

"We have developed an agenda filled with seminars for everyone.  Whether you are a tribal leader, casino manager, or a regulator, we have a seminar for you," said CNIGA Chairman Daniel J. Tucker.  "We are pleased to have representatives from both the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Bureau of Gambling Control, as well as Chairwoman Tracie Stevens from the National Indian Gaming Commission participating on our regulatory panel.  I am also excited to announce that Chairman Clarence Atwell will be receiving the first annual Anna Sandoval Leadership Award and that the Penta Building Group will be the recipients of our first annual Pauline Murillo Industry Leader Award."

"We are grateful that for the first time, CNIGA has the opportunity to hold the WIGC at a tribally owned and operated facility.  I would like to thank the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for being the title sponsor of the WIGC and for their continued support and dedication to CNIGA," said Tucker.  "Without the support of all of our sponsors, this conference would not be possible."

Tucker also added, "CNIGA would like to specifically thank the primary sponsors of the WIGC including the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers and Wells Fargo."

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit association comprised of federally recognized tribal governments dedicated to the protection of tribal sovereignty and the right of tribes to have gaming on Indian lands.